Hay bale carrier

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for transporting round hay bales disposed on a bale support ground surface. The apparatus has a frame, a frame support assembly, a first and a second rail. The frame has a first and a second portion. The first portion is connectable to a towing vehicle and the second portion is pivotally movable relative to the first portion to cooperate with the first portion to move the frame between a transporting position and a loading position. The first and second rails are movable between first, second, and third positions. In the first position, the first and second rails are lowered to capture the round hay bale. In the second position, the first and second rails are raised and aligned for transporting the round hay bale. In the third position, the first and second rails are positioned generally downwardly and outwardly for unloading the round hay bale.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a hay bale carrier,and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved haybale carrier for loading, transporting, and unloading round hay bales.

[0004] 2. Brief Description of Related Art

[0005] Hauling round hay bales in the past has been a time-consumingprocess. A variety of different carriers have been developed so as toreduce the amount of time for hauling round hay bales. Most carriershave been designed to capture and transport one round hay bale at atime. For example, a forklift-like device has been used to pierce theround hay bale and place the round hay bale on a trailer. Other carrierscan transport a plurality of round hay bales. However, these types ofcarriers require more than one operator to load, transport, and unloadthe round hay bales due to the size and weight of a single round haybale. Typically, each round hay bale weighs several hundred pounds.

[0006] Other carriers have been designed to utilize the labor of asingle operator. However, the operation of these carriers require thecarrier to be stopped and positioned over or in front of the hay bale.In addition, some carriers require an entire load to be unloaded andthen reloaded in order to load an additional hay bale. The stationaryposition of engaging and loading the hay bale and the process ofunloading and reloading requires additional time in the process ofloading, transporting, and unloading the hay bales.

[0007] To this end, a need exists for a hay bale carrier that permits anoperator to load, transport, and unload one or more round hay bales. Itis to such an apparatus that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a hay bale carrierconstructed in accordance with the present invention shown attached to atowing vehicle and in a transporting position.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the hay bale carrier in thetransporting position.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the hay bale carrier in aloading position.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the hay bale carrier in thetransporting position.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the hay bale carrier in theloading position prepared to capture a round hay bale.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a top view of the hay bale carrier in the loadingposition showing a plurality of round hay bales positioned thereon.

[0014]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the hay bale carrier in thetransporting position transporting the plurality of round hay bales.

[0015]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the hay bale carrier in anunloading position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1and 2, a hay bale carrier 10 constructed in accordance with the presentinvention is shown. Broadly, the hay bale carrier 10 includes a frame12, a frame support assembly 14, and a first rail assembly 16 and asecond rail assembly 18 (FIG. 2) which are selectively movable between afirst position for loading a round hay bale, a second position fortransporting the round hay bale, and a third position for unloading theround hay bale.

[0017] The frame 12 includes a first portion 20 and a second portion 22.The first portion 20 of the frame 12 functions as a trailer tongue andtherefore is adapted to be pivotally connected to a towing vehicle 24,such as a tractor, truck, pickup, or other motor vehicle so that theframe 12 may be towed along a bale support ground surface 25. As bestshown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the first portion 20 of the frame 12 is adouble-layered structure that includes an upper frame structure 26 and alower frame structure 27 supported in a spaced apart relationship by aplurality of spacer members 28 so as to form a channel 29. The upperframe structure 26 and the lower frame structure 27 are similar inconstruction except that the lower frame structure 27 is provided with aplurality of intermediate cross members 30 (FIGS. 2 and 6) forsupporting the second portion of the frame 12 in a manner to bediscussed below.

[0018] A forward end of the first portion 20 of the frame 12 is angleddownwardly and provided with a collar 31. The collar 31 is adapted to bepivotally connected to a ball hitch (not shown) mounted to the towingvehicle 24 so as to permit the first portion 20 of the frame 12 torotate freely relative to the towing vehicle 24. However, any suitableconnector that allows the first portion 20 of the frame 12 to rotatefreely relative to the towing vehicle 24 may be used.

[0019] As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second portion 22 of theframe 12 has a substantially inverted U-shaped configuration andincludes an upper end 32, a front end 34, a rear end 35, a first side36, and a second side 37 cooperating to define a hay bale receivingspace 38. Each of the front end 34 and the rear end 35 of the secondportion 22 of the frame 12 is open to permit a round hay bale to pass toand from the hay bale receiving space 38. The hay bale receiving space38 may be sized and configured to hold a single round hay bale,designated as 39, or a plurality of round hay bales (shown as brokenlines in FIGS. 5-8) of various sizes in an end-to-end relationship.

[0020] The second portion 22 of the frame 12 is shown to be constructedof a plurality of vertical support members 40 interconnected to aplurality of cross members 41. However, it will be appreciated that thesecond portion 22 of the frame 12 can be constructed in a variety ofdifferent configurations so long as the second portion 22 is capable ofreceiving and supporting a desired number of round hay bales.

[0021] The first portion 20 and the second portion 22 of the frame 12are assembled so that the upper end 32 of the second portion 22 of theframe is slidably positioned in the channel 29 of the first portion 20and pivotally connected by a pin 42 which is substantially aligned withan central axis of rotation 43 (FIG. 2) of the frame support assembly 14such that the second portion 22 is rotatable relative to the firstportion 20 between an aligned position (FIG. 2) and a rotated position(FIG. 6). The first portion 20 and the second frame 22 are shown toconstructed primarily of steel tubing welded together to form the firstand second portions 20 and 22. As such, to assemble the first portion 20to the second portion 22, upper end 32 of the second portion 22 ispositioned in the channel 29 between the upper frame structure 26 andthe lower frame structure 27 prior to final construction of the firstportion 20. Alternatively, the first portion 20 can be fully constructedand the construction of the second portion 22 finalized after connectionof the first portion 20 and the second portion 22. Additionally, thefirst and second portions 20 and 22 may be constructed of members whichare bolted together rather than welded together.

[0022] The second portion 22 of the frame 12 is rotated between thealigned position and the rotated position by a cylinder 44 (FIGS. 2 and6). The cylinder 44 is shown having a first end 45, a second end 46, anda reciprocating rod 48 extending from the second end 46 of the cylinder44. The cylinder 44 is movable between a retracted position and anextended position.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the first end 45 of the cylinder 44 ispivotally mounted to the second portion 22 of the frame 12 and thereciprocating rod 48 of the cylinder 44 is pivotally connected to thefirst portion 20 of the frame 12. In the retracted position of thecylinder 44 (FIG. 2), the second portion 22 of the frame 12 is caused tobe aligned with the first portion 20 of the frame 12. That is, thesecond portion 22 is positioned such that a longitudinal axis 52 of thesecond portion 22 of the frame 12 is aligned with a longitudinal axis 54of the first portion 20. To facilitate alignment of the second portion22, the upper end 32 of the second portion 22 of the frame 12 isprovided with a stop member 55 (FIG. 3) along the first side 36 thereof.The stop member 55 engages the corresponding side of the lower framestructure 27 of the first portion 20 of the frame 12 when the cylinder44 is in the retracted position.

[0024] In the extended position (FIG. 6), the second portion 22 of theframe 12 is caused to be rotated about the pin 42 with the secondportion 22 of the frame 12 sliding over the lower frame structure 27 sothat the longitudinal axis 52 of the second portion 22 is misalignedrelative to the longitudinal axis 54 of the first portion 20 of theframe 12. With the second portion 22 in the rotated position, the frame12 is caused to swing outwardly to a loading position upon the hay balecarrier 10 being put in forward motion by the towing vehicle 24. In theloading position, the second portion 22 of the frame 12 moves so thatthe longitudinal axis 52 of the second portion 22 of the frame 12 issubstantially parallel to a longitudinal axis 56 of the towing vehicle20 as the frame 12 is being towed by the towing vehicle 24.

[0025] Referring again to FIG. 2, the frame support assembly 14 includesa first wheel assembly 70 and a second wheel assembly 72. The firstwheel assembly 70 includes a first wheel 74 and a second wheel 76operably connected to the first side 36 of the second portion 22 of theframe 12. The second wheel assembly 72 includes a third wheel 78 and afourth wheel 80 operably connected to the second side 37 of the secondportion 22 of the frame 12. The first wheel assembly 70 and the secondwheel assembly 72 cooperate to rollingly support the frame 12. Tomaintain the first and second wheel assemblies 70 and 72 in alignmentunder load, the first, second, third, and fourth wheels 74, 76, 78, and80 are supported by spindles which are directed inwardly to provideincreased lateral support to the first and second wheel assemblies 70and 72. It should further be understood that any number of wheelassemblies suitable to support the frame may be used. In addition,although wheels are illustrated as a preferred structure for movablysupporting the frame 12, it should be understood that any suitablestructure for movably supporting the frame 12 may be used, such asskids.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, the first rail assembly 16 includes afirst rail 82, a forward linkage member 84, a forward cylinder 86, arearward linkage member 88, and a rearward cylinder 90. The first rail82 has a forward end 92 and a rearward end 94 and is secured to thesecond portion 22 of the frame 12 so as to be supported in the hay balereceiving space 38 of the second portion 22 of the frame 12 proximatethe first side 36 thereof.

[0027] The first end 96 the forward linkage member 84 is attached to thefirst rail 82 with a ball joint 99 proximate the forward end 92 of thefirst rail 82 so as to permit multidirectional rotation of the firstrail 82 relative to the forward linkage member 84. Further, the forwardlinkage member 84 is pivotally attached to the front end 34 of the firstside 36 of the second portion 22 of the frame 12 proximate the secondend 98 of the forward linkage member 84.

[0028] The forward cylinder 86 has a first end 100, a second end 102,and a reciprocating rod 104 extending from the second end 102 of theforward cylinder 86. The first end 100 of the cylinder 86 is pivotallymounted proximate the front end 34 of the first side 36 of the secondportion 22 of the frame 12. The reciprocating rod 104 of the cylinder 86is connected to a clevis 106 which is pivotally connected to the secondend 98 of the forward linkage member 84.

[0029] As best shown in FIG. 4, the rearward linkage member 88 isarcuately shaped and has a first end 108 and a second end 110. The firstend 108 of the forward linkage member 88 is attached to the first rail82 with a ball joint 111 proximate the rearward end 94 of the first rail82 so as to permit multidirectional rotation of the first rail 82relative to the rearward linkage member 88. Further, the rearwardlinkage member 88 is pivotally attached to the rear end 35 of the firstside 36 of the second portion 22 of the frame 12 proximate the secondend 110 of the rearward linkage member 88.

[0030] The rearward cylinder 90 has a first end 112, a second end 114,and a reciprocating rod 116 extending from the second end 114 of therearward cylinder 90. The first end 112 of the cylinder 90 is pivotallymounted proximate the rear end 35 of the first side 36 of the secondportion 22 of the frame 12. The reciprocating rod 116 of the cylinder 90is connected to a clevis 118 which is pivotally connected to the secondend 110 of the rearward linkage member 88.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the forward cylinder 86 and therearward cylinder 90 of the first rail assembly 16 are eachindependently movable between the retracted and the extended position.When the forward cylinder 86 is moved to the retracted position, theforward cylinder 86 functions to rotate the forward linkage member 84 tocause the forward end 92 of the first rail 82 to move downwardly andoutwardly to a position near the bale ground support surface 25. In theextended position, the forward cylinder 86 functions to rotate theforward linkage member 84 to cause the forward end 92 of the first rail82 to move upwardly and inwardly so as to be substantially parallel tothe bale ground support surface 25. When the rearward cylinder 90 ismoved to the retracted position, the rearward cylinder 90 functions torotate the rearward linkage member 88 to cause the rearward end 94 ofthe first rail 82 to move downwardly and outwardly to a position nearthe bale ground support surface 25. In the extended position, therearward cylinder 90 functions to rotate the rearward linkage member 88to cause the rearward end 94 of the first rail 82 to move upwardly andinwardly so as to be substantially parallel to the bale ground supportsurface 25.

[0032] The second rail assembly 18 includes a second rail 120, a forwardlinkage member 122, a forward cylinder 124, a rearward linkage member126, and a rearward cylinder 128. The second rail 120 has a forward end130 and a rearward end 132 and is secured to the second portion 22 ofthe frame 12 so as to be supported in the hay bale receiving space 38 ofthe second portion 22 of the frame 12 proximate the second side 37 ofthe second portion 22 of the frame 12.

[0033] The forward linkage member 122 is arcuately shaped and has afirst end 134 and a second end 136. The first end 134 of the forwardlinkage member 122 is attached to the second rail 120 with a ball joint137 proximate the forward end 130 of the second rail 120 so as to permitmultidirectional rotation of the second rail 120 relative to the forwardlinkage member 122. Further, the forward linkage member 122 is pivotallyattached to the front end 34 of the second side 37 of the second portion22 of the frame 12 proximate the second end 136 of the forward linkagemember 122.

[0034] The forward cylinder 124 has a first end 138, a second end 140,and a reciprocating rod 142 extending from the second end 140 of theforward cylinder 124. The first end 138 of the forward cylinder 124 ispivotally mounted proximate the front end 34 of the second side 37 ofthe second portion 22 of the frame 12. The reciprocating rod 142 of theforward cylinder 124 is connected to a clevis 144 which is pivotallyconnected to the second end 136 of the forward linkage member 122.

[0035] The rearward linkage member 126 is arcuately shaped and has afirst end 146 and a second end 148. The first end 146 of the rearwardlinkage member 126 is pivotally attached to the second rail 120proximate the rearward end 132 of the second rail 120. Further, therearward linkage member 126 is attached to the rear end 35 of the secondside 37 of the second portion 22 of the frame 12 with a ball joint 149proximate the second end 148 of the rearward linkage member 126 so as topermit multidirectional rotation of the second rail 120 relative to therearward linkage member 126.

[0036] The rearward cylinder 128 has a first end 150, a second end 152,and a reciprocating rod 154 extending from the second end 152 of therearward cylinder 128. The first end 150 of the rearward cylinder 128 isshown pivotally mounted proximate the rear end 35 of the second side 37of the second portion 22 of the frame 12. The reciprocating rod 154 ofthe rearward cylinder 128 is shown connected to a clevis 156 which ispivotally connected to the second end 148 of the rearward linkage member126.

[0037] Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the forward cylinder 124 andthe rearward cylinder 128 of the second rail assembly 18 are eachindependently movable between the retracted and the extended position.When the forward cylinder 124 is moved to the retracted position, theforward cylinder 124 functions to rotate the forward linkage member 122to cause the forward end 130 of the second rail 120 to move downwardlyand outwardly to a position near the bale ground support surface 25. Inthe extended position, the forward cylinder 124 functions to rotate theforward linkage member 122 to cause the forward end 130 of the secondrail 120 to move upwardly and inwardly so as to be substantiallyparallel to the bale ground support surface 25. When the rearwardcylinder 128 is moved to the retracted position, the rearward cylinder128 functions to rotate the rearward linkage member 126 to cause therearward end 132 of the second rail 120 to move downwardly and outwardlyto a position near the bale ground support surface 25. In the extendedposition, the rearward cylinder 128 functions to rotate the rearwardlinkage member 126 to cause the rearward end 132 of the second rail 120to move upwardly and inwardly so as to be substantially parallel to thebale ground support surface 25.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the first rail 82 and thesecond rail 120 are selectively moved to the first position to load theround hay bale. In the first position, the forward end 92 of the firstrail 82 and the forward end 130 of the second rail 120 are lowered bythe forward cylinders 86 and 124, respectively, to a position near thebale ground support surface 25. The forward end 92 of the first rail 82and the forward end 130 of the second rail 120 are positioned generallydownwardly and outwardly relative to the rearward end 94 of the firstrail 82 and the rearward end 132 of the second rail 120 such that thefirst rail 82 and the second rail 120 are arranged in a substantiallyangled, V-shaped configuration. The forward ends 92 and 130 and therearward ends 94 and 132 of the first and the second rails 82 and 120,respectively, are angled to facilitate capture of the round hay bale onthe first and second rails 82 and 120, respectively, while the frame 12is in the loading position and being towed by the towing vehicle 24.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 7, in the second position, the firstand second rails 82 and 120 are selectively moved to transport the roundhay bale to a selected location while the frame 12 is in thetransporting position and being towed by the towing vehicle 24. In thesecond position, the forward end 92 of the first rail 82 is raised andaligned with the rearward end 94 of the first rail 82 by the forwardcylinder 86. Likewise, the forward end 130 of the second rail 120 israised and aligned with the rearward end 132 of the second rail 120 bythe forward cylinder 124 so that the first rail 82 and the second rail120 are substantially parallel with each other and the bale supportingground surface 25 so as to support the round hay bale in the hay balereceiving space 38 as the frame 12 is towed to the selected location.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 8, upon arrival at the selected locationthe first rail 82 and the second rail 120 are moved into a thirdposition for unloading the round hay bales. In the third position, thefirst rail 82 is moved generally downwardly and outwardly by the forwardcylinder 86 and the rearward cylinder 90, and the second rail 120 ismoved generally downwardly and outwardly by the forward cylinder 124 andthe rearward cylinder 128, thus causing first and second rails 82 and120 to release the round hay bales so as to cause the round hay bales toengage the bale support ground surface 25 and permit the frame 12 to bepulled away from the round hay bale.

[0041] It should be understood that the cylinders 44, 86, 90, 124, and128 may be any suitable hydraulic cylinder known in the art, such as adouble-acting hydraulic cylinder. To this end, a hydraulic assembly 158,shown in FIGS. 1-3, is mounted on the rear end 35 of the second portion22 of the frame 12 and includes a power source 160, such as a 12 voltbattery, a pump 161, a tank 162, a motor 164, and a control box (notshown) which includes corresponding control valves (not shown) foractuating the cylinders 44, 86, 90, 124, and 128. A twelve volt DC motorhas been found to be suitable to operate the cylinders 44, 86, 90, 124,and 128. The motor 164 is associated with the tank 162, which holdshydraulic oil, and the hydraulic pump 161. The control box is preferablyportable whereby a driver of the towing vehicle can position the controlbox inside the towing vehicle when operating. Because the operation ofhydraulic circuits is well known in the art, as well as their variouscomponents, the hosing used in the present invention has been omittedfrom the drawings for the sake of clarity. It will further be understoodthat other types of cylinders may be used, such as pneumatic andelectric.

[0042] In use, an operator first connects the first portion 20 of theframe 12 to the towing vehicle 24 (FIG. 1). The operator next actuatesthe cylinder 44 to the extended position to cause the second portion 22of the frame 12 to move from the aligned position to the rotatedposition (FIG. 6).

[0043] The operator then actuates the forward cylinders 86 and 124 tocause the first rail 82 and the second rail 120 to move to the firstposition for loading the round hay bale (FIG. 6). The operator drivesthe towing vehicle 24 forward and the forward motion causes the frame 12to swing outwardly to the loading position (FIG. 6). As the frame 12 isbeing towed by the towing vehicle 24, the operator aligns the balereceiving space 38 with a round hay bale so that the round hay bale iscaptured by the first and second rails 82 and 120 (FIG. 5). The forwardmotion of the frame 12 causes the round hay bale to slide up on thefirst and second rails 82 and 120.

[0044] If the operator desires to capture a plurality of round haybales, the operator then drives to the location of the next round haybale aligning the bale receiving space 38 with the round hay bale sothat the round hay bale is captured. As each round hay bale is captured,it pushes the previously captured hay bale further back into the balereceiving space 38 (FIG. 6).

[0045] After the single or plurality of hay bales is captured, then theoperator actuates the forward cylinders 86 and 124 to cause the firstand second rails 82 and 120 to move to the second position fortransporting the round hay bales (FIG. 7). The operator then actuatesthe cylinder 44 to the retracted position to cause the second portion 22of the frame 12 to move from the rotated position to the alignedposition (FIG. 2) which in turn causes the second portion 22 of theframe 12 to return to the transporting position.

[0046] The operator next transports the round hay bales to a selectedlocation. Once the operator arrives the selected location, the operatoractuates the forward cylinders 86 and 124 and the rearward cylinders 90and 128 to cause the first rail and the second rails 82 and 120 to moveto the third position for unloading the round hay bales (FIG. 8). Theoperator then tows the frame 12 away from the round hay bales.

[0047] From the above description it is clear that the present inventionis well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantagesmentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While apresently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described forpurposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changesmay be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the inventiondisclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for transporting a round hay baledisposed on a bale support ground surface, comprising: a frame having afirst portion and a second portion, the first portion connectable to atowing vehicle and the second portion being pivotally movable relativeto the first portion to cooperate with the first portion to move theframe between a transporting position and a loading position, in thetransporting position a longitudinal axis of the second portion of theframe is alignable with a longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle and inthe loading position the longitudinal axis of the second portion of theframe is capable of being maintained in an offset relation to thelongitudinal axis of the towing vehicle, the second portion of the framehaving a front end, a rear end, a first side, and a second sidecooperating to define a hay bale receiving space, the front end of thesecond portion configured to permit a round hay bale to pass into thehay bale receiving space when the second portion of the frame is in theloading position; means for movably supporting the frame on the balesupport ground surface; a first rail having a forward end and a rearwardend, the first rail supported in the hay bale receiving space of thesecond portion of frame proximate the first side thereof and selectivelymovable between a first position and a second position; and a secondrail having a forward end and a rearward end, the second rail supportedin the hay bale receiving space of the second portion of the frameproximate the second side thereof and selectively movable between afirst position and a second position; wherein the first and second railsare selectively moved to the first position to load the round hay bale,in the first position of the first and second rails the forward end ofthe first rail and the forward end of the second rail are lowered to aposition near the bale ground support surface to capture the round haybale on the first and second rails, and wherein the first and secondrails are selectively moved into the second position of the first andsecond rails to transport the round hay bale to a selected location, inthe second position the forward end of the first rail is raised andaligned with the rearward end of the first rail and the forward end ofthe second rail is raised and aligned with the rearward end of thesecond rail so that the first rail and the second rail are substantiallyparallel with each other and the bale supporting ground surface so as tosupport the round hay bale in the hay bale receiving space as the frameis towed to the selected location.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising means for selectively moving the first and second railsbetween the first and the second positions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the first portion of the frame is pivotally connectable to thetowing vehicle to permit the first portion of the frame to rotate freelyrelative to the towing vehicle.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein thesecond portion of the frame is pivotally connected to the first portionof the frame and wherein the apparatus further comprises: means forselectively pivoting the second portion of the frame between an alignedposition and a rotated positioned, in the aligned position the secondportion of the frame is aligned with the first portion of the framewhereby the frame is caused to move to the transporting position as theframe is being towed by the towing vehicle, and in the rotated positionthe second portion of the frame is rotated so as to be misalignedrelative to the first portion of the frame whereby the frame is causedto swing to the loading position as the frame is being towed by thetowing vehicle.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein in the loadingposition, the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the frame issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle.6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein in the first position of the firstand second rails, the forward end of the first rail and the forward endof the second rail are positioned generally downwardly and outwardlyrelative to the rearward ends of the first and second rails such thatthe first rail and the second rail are arranged in a substantiallyangled, V-shaped configuration.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein theforward and the rearward ends of the first and the second rails areangled to facilitate capture of the round hay bale when the first andsecond rails are positioned in the first position.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the hay bale receiving space is sized to hold aplurality of round hay bales in an end-to-end relationship.
 9. Anapparatus for transporting a round hay bale disposed on a bale supportground surface, comprising: a frame connectable to a towing vehicle andhaving a front end, a rear end, a first side, and a second sidecooperating to define a hay bale receiving space, the front end of thesecond portion configured to permit a round hay bale to pass into thehay bale receiving space; means for movably supporting the frame on thebale support ground surface; a first rail having a forward end and arearward end, the first rail supported in the hay bale receiving spaceof the second portion of frame proximate the first side thereof andselectively movable between a first position and a second position; anda second rail having a forward end and a rearward end, the second railsupported in the hay bale receiving space of the second portion of theframe proximate the second side thereof and selectively movable betweena first position and a second position; wherein the first and secondrails are selectively moved to the first position to load the round haybale, in the first position of the first and second rails the forwardend of the first rail and the forward end of the second rail are loweredto a position near the bale ground support surface to capture the roundhay bale on the first and second rails while the frame is being towed bythe towing vehicle, and wherein the first and second rails areselectively moved into the second position of the first and second railsto transport the round hay bale to a selected location, in the secondposition the forward end of the first rail is raised and aligned withthe rearward end of the first rail and the forward end of the secondrail is raised and aligned with the rearward end of the second rail sothat the first rail and the second rail are substantially parallel witheach other and the bale supporting ground surface so as to support theround hay bale in the hay bale receiving space as the frame is towed tothe selected location.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the firstportion of the frame is pivotally connectable to the towing vehicle topermit the first portion of the frame to rotate freely relative to thetowing vehicle.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein in the firstposition of the first and second rails, the forward end of the firstrail and the forward end of the second rail are positioned generallydownwardly and outwardly relative to the rearward ends of the first andsecond rails such that the first rail and the second rail are arrangedin a substantially angled, V-shaped configuration.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11 wherein the forward and the rearward ends of the first and thesecond rails are angled to facilitate capture of the round hay bale whenthe first and second rails are positioned in the first position.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 9 wherein the hay bale receiving space is sized tohold a plurality of round hay bales in an end-to-end relationship. 14.An apparatus for transporting a round hay bale disposed on a balesupport ground surface, comprising: a frame having a first portion and asecond portion, the first portion connectable to a towing vehicle andthe second portion being pivotally movable relative to the first portionto cooperate with the first portion to move the frame between atransporting position and a loading position, in the transportingposition a longitudinal axis of the second portion of the frame isalignable with a longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle and in theloading position the longitudinal axis of the second portion of theframe is capable of being maintained in an offset relation to thelongitudinal axis of the towing vehicle, the second portion of the framehaving a front end, a rear end, a first side, and a second sidecooperating to define a hay bale receiving space, the front end of thesecond portion configured to permit a round hay bale to pass into thehay bale receiving space when the second portion of the frame is in theloading position; means for movably supporting the frame on the balesupport ground surface; a first rail having a forward end and a rearwardend, the first rail supported in the hay bale receiving space of thesecond portion of frame proximate the first side thereof and selectivelymovable between a first position, a second position, and a thirdposition; and a second rail having a forward end and a rearward end, thesecond rail supported in the hay bale receiving space of the secondportion of the frame proximate the second side thereof and selectivelymovable between a first position, a second position, and a thirdposition; wherein the first and second rails are selectively moved tothe first position to load the round hay bale, in the first position ofthe first and second rails the forward end of the first rail and theforward end of the second rail are lowered to a position near the baleground support surface to capture the round hay bale on the first andsecond rails while the frame is in the loading position and being towedby the towing vehicle, wherein the first and second rails areselectively moved into the second position of the first and second railsto transport the round hay bale to a selected location while the frameis in the transporting position and being towed by the towing vehicle,in the second position the forward end of the first rail is raised andaligned with the rearward end of the first rail and the forward end ofthe second rail is raised and aligned with the rearward end of thesecond rail so that the first rail and the second rail are substantiallyparallel with each other and the bale supporting ground surface so as tosupport the round hay bale in the hay bale receiving space as the frameis towed to the selected location, and wherein upon arrival at theselected location the first rail and the second rail are moved into thethird position to unload the round hay bale at the selected location, inthe third position the forward end and the rearward end of the firstrail are positioned generally downwardly and outwardly and the forwardend and the rearward end of the second rail are positioned generallydownwardly and outwardly thus causing the first and second rails torelease the round hay bale and so as to cause the round hay bale toengage the bale support ground surface and permit the frame to be pulledaway from the round hay bale.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 furthercomprising means for selectively moving the first and second railsbetween the first and the second positions.
 16. The apparatus of claim14 wherein the first portion of the frame is pivotally connectable tothe towing vehicle to permit the first portion of the frame to rotatefreely relative to the towing vehicle.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16wherein the second portion of the frame is pivotally connected to thefirst portion of the frame and wherein the apparatus further comprises:means for selectively pivoting the second portion of the frame betweenan aligned position and a rotated positioned, in the aligned positionthe second portion of the frame is aligned with the first portion of theframe whereby the frame is caused to move to the transporting positionas the frame is being towed by the towing vehicle, and in the rotatedposition the second portion of the frame is rotated so as to bemisaligned relative to the first portion of the frame whereby the frameis caused to swing to the loading position as the frame is being towedby the towing vehicle.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein in theloading position, the longitudinal axis of the second portion of theframe is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the towingvehicle.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein in the first position ofthe first and second rails, the forward end of the first rail and theforward end of the second rail are positioned generally downwardly andoutwardly relative to the rearward ends of the first and second railssuch that the first rail and the second rail are arranged in asubstantially angled, V-shaped configuration.
 20. The apparatus of claim19 wherein the forward and the rearward ends of the first and the secondrails are angled to facilitate capture of the round hay bale when thefirst and second rails are positioned in the first position.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 14 wherein the hay bale receiving space is sized tohold a plurality of round hay bales in an end-to-end relationship.
 22. Amethod for transporting a round hay bale disposed on a bale supportground surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing anapparatus, comprising: a frame having a first portion and a secondportion, the second portion being pivotally movable relative to thefirst portion to cooperate with the first portion to move the framebetween a transporting position and a loading position, in thetransporting position a longitudinal axis of the second portion of theframe is alignable with a longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle and inthe loading position the longitudinal axis of the second portion of theframe is capable of being maintained in an offset relation to thelongitudinal axis of the towing vehicle, the second portion of the framehaving a front end, a rear end, a first side, and a second sidecooperating to define a hay bale receiving space, the front end of thesecond portion configured to permit a round hay bale to pass into thehay bale receiving space when the second portion of the frame is in theloading position; means for movably supporting the frame on the balesupport ground surface; a first rail having a forward end and a rearwardend, the first rail supported in the hay bale receiving space of thesecond portion of frame proximate the first side thereof and selectivelymovable between a first position and a second position; and a secondrail having a forward end and a rearward end, the second rail supportedin the hay bale receiving space of the second portion of the frameproximate the second side thereof and selectively movable between afirst position and a second position; connecting the first portion ofthe frame to a towing vehicle; moving the frame to the loading position;moving the first and second rails to the first position wherein theforward end of the first rail and the forward end of the second rail arelowered to a position near the bale ground support surface; aligning thebale receiving space with a round hay bale; moving the first and secondrails to the second position wherein the forward end of the first railis raised and aligned with the rearward end of the first rail and theforward end of the second rail is raised and aligned with the rearwardend of the second rail so that the first rail and the second rail aresubstantially parallel with each other and the bale supporting groundsurface so as to support the round hay bale in the hay bale receivingspace; moving the frame to the transporting position; and transportingthe round hay bale to a selected location.
 23. The method of claim 22wherein the second portion of the frame is pivotally connected to thefirst portion of the frame and wherein the step of moving the frame tothe loading position further comprises: pivoting the second portion ofthe frame from an aligned position to a rotated positioned, in thealigned position the second portion of the frame is aligned with thefirst portion of the frame and in the rotated position the secondportion of the frame is rotated so as to be misaligned relative to thefirst portion of the frame whereby the frame is caused to swing to theloading position as the frame is being towed by the towing vehicle. 24.The method of claim 23 wherein the step of moving the frame to thetransporting position further comprises: pivoting the second portion ofthe frame from an the rotated position to the aligned position wherebythe frame is caused to move to the transporting position as the frame isbeing towed by the towing vehicle.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein inthe step of positioning the frame in the loading position, thelongitudinal axis of the second portion of the frame is substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle.
 26. A methodfor transporting a round hay bale disposed on a bale support groundsurface, the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus,comprising: a frame having a front end, a rear end, a first side, and asecond side cooperating to define a hay bale receiving space, the frontend of the second portion configured to permit a round hay bale to passinto the hay bale receiving space; means for movably supporting theframe on the bale support ground surface; a first rail having a forwardend and a rearward end, the first rail supported in the hay balereceiving space of the second portion of frame proximate the first sidethereof and selectively movable between a first position and a secondposition; and a second rail having a forward end and a rearward end, thesecond rail supported in the hay bale receiving space of the secondportion of the frame proximate the second side thereof and selectivelymovable between a first position and a second position; connecting theframe to a towing vehicle so that the hay receiving space of the frameis positioned in an offset relation to the longitudinal axis of thetowing vehicle; moving the first and second rails to the first positionwherein the forward end of the first rail and the forward end of thesecond rail are lowered to a position near the bale ground supportsurface; towing the frame and aligning the bale receiving space with around hay bale such that the round hay bale is captured on the first andsecond rails as the frame is being towed; moving the first and secondrails to the second position wherein the forward end of the first railis raised and aligned with the rearward end of the first rail and theforward end of the second rail is raised and aligned with the rearwardend of the second rail so that the first rail and the second rail aresubstantially parallel with each other and the bale supporting groundsurface so as to support the round hay bale in the hay bale receivingspace; and transporting the round hay bale to a selected location. 27.The method of claim 26 wherein in the step of positioning the first andsecond rails in the first position, the forward end of the first railand the forward end of the second rail are positioned generallydownwardly and outwardly relative to the rearward ends of the first andsecond rails such that the first rail and the second rail are arrangedin a substantially angled, V-shaped configuration.
 28. The method ofclaim 27 wherein in the step of providing the apparatus, the forward andthe rearward ends of the first and the second rails are angled tofacilitate capture of the round hay bale when the first and second railsare positioned in the first position.
 29. The method of claim 26 whereinin the step of towing the frame and aligning the bale receiving spacewith a round hay bale further comprising capturing a plurality of roundhay bales prior to moving the first and second rails to the transportingposition.
 30. A method for transporting a round hay bale disposed on abale support ground surface, the method comprising the steps of:providing an apparatus, comprising: a frame having a first portion and asecond portion, the second portion being pivotally movable relative tothe first portion to cooperate with the first portion to move the framebetween a transporting position and a loading position, in thetransporting position a longitudinal axis of the second portion of theframe is alignable with a longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle and inthe loading position the longitudinal axis of the second portion of theframe is capable of being maintained in an offset relation to thelongitudinal axis of the towing vehicle, the second portion of the framehaving a front end, a rear end, a first side, and a second sidecooperating to define a hay bale receiving space, the front end of thesecond portion configured to permit a round hay bale to pass into thehay bale receiving space when the second portion of the frame is in theloading position; means for movably supporting the frame on the balesupport ground surface; a first rail having a forward end and a rearwardend, the first rail supported in the hay bale receiving space of thesecond portion of frame proximate the first side thereof and selectivelymovable between a first position, a second position, and a thirdposition; and a second rail having a forward end and a rearward end, thesecond rail supported in the hay bale receiving space of the secondportion of the frame proximate the second side thereof and selectivelymovable between a first position, a second position, and a thirdposition; connecting the first portion of the frame to the towingvehicle; moving the frame to the loading position; moving the first andsecond rails to the first position wherein the forward end of the firstrail and the forward end of the second rail are lowered to a positionnear the bale ground support surface; towing the frame and aligning thebale receiving space with a round hay bale such that the round hay baleis captured on the first and second rails; moving the first and secondrails to the second position wherein the forward end of the first railis raised and aligned with the rearward end of the first rail and theforward end of the second rail is raised and aligned with the rearwardend of the second rail so that the first rail and the second rail aresubstantially parallel with each other and the bale supporting groundsurface so as to support the round hay bale in the hay bale receivingspace; moving the frame to the transporting position; transporting theround hay bale to a selected location; moving the first and second railsto the third position wherein the forward end and the rearward end ofthe first rail are positioned generally downwardly and outwardly and theforward end and the rearward end of the second rail are positionedgenerally downwardly and outwardly thus causing the first and secondrails to release the round hay bale and so as to cause the round haybale to engage the bale support ground surface and permit the frame tobe pulled away from the round hay bale; and towing the frame away fromthe round hay bale.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the first portionof the frame is pivotally connected to the towing vehicle to permit thefirst portion of the frame to rotate freely relative to the towingvehicle.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the second portion of theframe is pivotally connected to the first portion of the frame andwherein the step of moving the frame to the loading position furthercomprises: pivoting the second portion of the frame from an alignedposition to a rotated positioned, in the aligned position the secondportion of the frame is aligned with the first portion of the frame andin the rotated position the second portion of the frame is rotated so asto be misaligned relative to the first portion of the frame whereby theframe is caused to swing to the loading position as the frame is beingtowed by the towing vehicle.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the stepof moving the frame to the transporting position further comprises:pivoting the second portion of the frame from an the rotated position tothe aligned position whereby the frame is caused to move to thetransporting position as the frame is being towed by the towing vehicle.34. The method of claim 33 wherein in the step of positioning the framein the loading position, the longitudinal axis of the second portion ofthe frame is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of thetowing vehicle.
 35. The method of claim 30 wherein in the step ofpositioning the first and second rails in the first position, theforward end of the first rail and the forward end of the second rail arepositioned generally downwardly and outwardly relative to the rearwardends of the first and second rails such that the first rail and thesecond rail are arranged in a substantially angled, V-shapedconfiguration.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein in the step ofproviding the apparatus, the forward and the rearward ends of the firstand the second rails are angled to facilitate capture of the round haybale when the first and second rails are positioned in the firstposition.
 37. The method of claim 30 wherein in the step of towing theframe and aligning the bale receiving space with a round hay balefurther comprising capturing a plurality of round hay bales prior tomoving the first and second rails to the transporting position.